MONTANUS, Arnoldus.
Gedenkwaerdige gesantschappen der Oost-Indische Maetschappy in 't Vereenigde Nederland, aen de Kaisaren van Japan: vervatende wonderlyke voorvallen op de togt der Nederlandtsche gesanten: beschryving van de dorpen, sterkten, steden, landtschappen, tempels, gods-diensten, dragten, gebouwen, dieren, gewasschen, bergen, fonteinen, vereeuwde en nieuwe oorlogs-daaden der Japanders.Amsterdam, Jacob Meurs, "1669" [=ca. 1681]. Folio. With engraved frontispiece, 1 folding map with travel routes in Japan, 20 double-page and 4 larger folding engraved plates, and 71 half-page engravings in the text. Early 18-century tanned sheepskin, gold-tooled spine with label; rebacked with the original backstrip laid down. Cordier, Japonica, col. 383; Landwehr & V.d. Krogt, VOC 522; Tiele, Bibl. 762; cf. V. Eeghen, "Arnoldus Montanus's book on Japan," in: Quaerendo II (1979), pp. 250-272. Second edition (often erroneously described as the first) of Montanus's very detailed and thoroughly illustrated account of Japan, containing the first known printed images of the small island of Dejima, in Nagasaki harbour, the Japanese outpost of the VOC (Dutch East India Company), connected to the mainland by a bridge. The title-page notes that the book is based on the manuscripts and notes of the VOC delegations (to the Shogun), and that the illustrations were drawn in Japan. The folding map shows the sea route along the coast from Nagasaki to Osaka andthe land route along the coast from Osaka to Yedo (Tokyo). The four folding views show profiles of the cities of Osaka, Miaco (Kyoto), Yedo and Kagoshima. The double-page plates showing the plan of the city of Batavia in the Dutch East Indies, the island of Dejima and the castle at Osaka, and the half-page view of the quarters at Firando (p. 28) are particularly important as authentic sources, never before published.From 1641 the Dutch were the only foreigners allowed to trade with Japan, although subject to rigid restrictions outside the VOC outpost on Dejima island. They had to renew permission to trade with Japan annually, for which they sent a delegation from Dejima to the Shogun in Yedo. Montanus based the present work on the unpublished reports of these journeys, from the VOC archives. Montanus also digresses onto the subjects of Japanese religion, history and natural history. Rebacked as noted and binding scuffed but structurally sound. Frontispiece slightly thumbed and some minor smudges throughout, otherwise in very good condition.
[Bookseller: Antiquariaat FORUM BV]